Considering a 328i few questions/comparisons

brusk · 06-19-2020, 01:55 PM

I'm considering a few used cars and I'm hoping about a 2016 328i would be a decent fit. I want something sporty 4 door in a manual. Unfortunately that limits options. I had a rental 328i auto for a day when they first came out during a recall done on my 135i. I remembered in being fairly crappy in comparison but hoping they fixed a few of those things since it came out. Areas of concern maybe somebody can chime in on

Reliability of the 4 cyl turbo engine

Steering issues of the electronic steering. This was a big complaint when it came out about non BMW like. Was there ever a fix for this or an easy update/flash/calibration or M swap to fix it?

Stereo - my 1 series was horrible for stereo and the older E90's only the HK top end was decent. Did they fix that?

I would love to have a E90 328i but I'm not looking at anything older than about 2016. Cars I'm considering due to lack of a manual are limited to 328i, Chevy SS, and Golf R

davidr3 · 06-19-2020, 02:03 PM

- 4 cyl is fairly reliable, members here running 150k+ miles
- Not sure about your concerns with steering, I do know it's still electronic steering and i'm not quite sure if there is any fix
- If the vehicle you receive has HK (most of them in the F generation) the audio is really good IMO, I like the quality, plenty of bass and treble to go with it.

I'd stick to the 328i and golf r personally, not a big american muscle fan.

brusk · 06-19-2020, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidr3

- 4 cyl is fairly reliable, members here running 150k+ miles
- Not sure about your concerns with steering, I do know it's still electronic steering and i'm not quite sure if there is any fix
- If the vehicle you receive has HK (most of them in the F generation) the audio is really good IMO, I like the quality, plenty of bass and treble to go with it.

I'd stick to the 328i and golf r personally, not a big american muscle fan.

Typically neither am I but since the SS is actually an Australian Holden apparently its very nice. And since using Chevy parts it's inexpensive to fix. I really wouldn't even need that much power but it only comes in one flavor.

deviantspeed · 06-19-2020, 03:27 PM

Not sure where the steering thing came up or how.

It's just fine and I have probably close to 100 track days.

Just drive it and see if it's that horrible, I'll bet it isn't. I'm also on my second f3x

Danddd · 06-19-2020, 03:42 PM

If you had earlier versions of the 3 series, there is a definite change to the steering. Definitely not as direct or with feel as say the E90s. 2016 made a bit of an improvement, but it still has little feel and the on center feel sucks. Just search steering on this forum.

2016 has the new guides for the timing chain, so that's an improvement for the 4 cylinder.

Having driven 3s with the HK, it is big improvement over stock. It has a good soundstage for sure.

chowser51 · 06-19-2020, 04:25 PM

If you stick it in sport it changes the steering a little. still not like my old e90.
most us cars come with hifi amp that you can upgrade with match7 or bavsound.

jmg · 06-19-2020, 04:43 PM

If this isn't your primary car why not a high miles E46 M3? I see a couple for a little more than a 328i in manual. With depreciation at the bottom of the curve, your total out of pocket might be less and you will have a more sporty car. The engine note will offset the lack of a good stereo! Just a thought.

LbrenM3 · 06-19-2020, 08:16 PM

I recently got a 2018 330i as my daily. I was looking for something w/a manual as well and decided I better get one before they are too hard to find. It still took me a while to find a rear drive/manual here in the northeast as most cars here are X-drive.

I’m pretty satisfied with it, as it has all the updated tech which is a good point. In sport/sport+ the steering really isn’t too bad in my opinion. The turbo-lag takes a bit to get used to though, and driving it back to back w/my M3 really exposes its cushiness. My E46 M3 is razor sharp in comparison as it has coil-overs and a short-shifter. I think I will be getting some suspension for it shortly as well.

The stereo is pretty decent, and I don’t have the HK. It is better than the HK in my M3. The F30 is actually about the same size as my old E39 M5, so its not really a small car, but it is just what I was looking for as I wanted 4 doors for my daily.

Mine was a CPO, so I am interested in seeing how it holds up as I rack up the miles too.

Take one for a test drive and see what you think.

Hope this helps.

06-19-2020, 01:55 PM	#1
brusk Lieutenant 33 Rep 578 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Coupe Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Cleveland, TN iTrader: (1)	Considering a 328i few questions/comparisons I'm considering a few used cars and I'm hoping about a 2016 328i would be a decent fit. I want something sporty 4 door in a manual. Unfortunately that limits options. I had a rental 328i auto for a day when they first came out during a recall done on my 135i. I remembered in being fairly crappy in comparison but hoping they fixed a few of those things since it came out. Areas of concern maybe somebody can chime in on Reliability of the 4 cyl turbo engine Steering issues of the electronic steering. This was a big complaint when it came out about non BMW like. Was there ever a fix for this or an easy update/flash/calibration or M swap to fix it? Stereo - my 1 series was horrible for stereo and the older E90's only the HK top end was decent. Did they fix that? I would love to have a E90 328i but I'm not looking at anything older than about 2016. Cars I'm considering due to lack of a manual are limited to 328i, Chevy SS, and Golf R __________________ 2008 135i - MHD/JB4, MS DP's, AMS IC, UI CAI, CDV delete, M3 control arms/Links, RE Toe Link, ECS Trailing Arm, M3 rear SF & Trans bushings, SS brake lines, Michelin PSS.
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06-19-2020, 02:03 PM	#2
davidr3 Captain 448 Rep 909 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: May 2019 Location: Riverside iTrader: (1)	- 4 cyl is fairly reliable, members here running 150k+ miles - Not sure about your concerns with steering, I do know it's still electronic steering and i'm not quite sure if there is any fix - If the vehicle you receive has HK (most of them in the F generation) the audio is really good IMO, I like the quality, plenty of bass and treble to go with it. I'd stick to the 328i and golf r personally, not a big american muscle fan.
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06-19-2020, 03:27 PM	#4
deviantspeed poopycat 266 Rep 791 Posts Drives: 2017 F31 330ixT Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: I live in a tent around Seattle iTrader: (0)	Not sure where the steering thing came up or how. It's just fine and I have probably close to 100 track days. Just drive it and see if it's that horrible, I'll bet it isn't. I'm also on my second f3x
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06-19-2020, 03:42 PM	#5
Danddd Love rollin in my wagon 75 Rep 216 Posts Drives: 2016 F31 Saphire Black/Saddle Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Wheaton, IL iTrader: (0)	If you had earlier versions of the 3 series, there is a definite change to the steering. Definitely not as direct or with feel as say the E90s. 2016 made a bit of an improvement, but it still has little feel and the on center feel sucks. Just search steering on this forum. 2016 has the new guides for the timing chain, so that's an improvement for the 4 cylinder. Having driven 3s with the HK, it is big improvement over stock. It has a good soundstage for sure. __________________
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06-19-2020, 04:25 PM	#6
chowser51 Colonel 2025 Rep 2,807 Posts Drives: F33 430 and F39 M35i Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cleveland, OH iTrader: (3) Garage List 2018 BMW 430i xDrive [0.00]	If you stick it in sport it changes the steering a little. still not like my old e90. most us cars come with hifi amp that you can upgrade with match7 or bavsound.
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06-19-2020, 04:43 PM	#7
jmg Lieutenant General 18710 Rep 14,115 Posts Drives: G82 M4C X-Drive Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2022 G82 M4C X-Drive [9.85] 2018 F80 M3 CS [9.87] 2019 i3 BEV [0.00]	If this isn't your primary car why not a high miles E46 M3? I see a couple for a little more than a 328i in manual. With depreciation at the bottom of the curve, your total out of pocket might be less and you will have a more sporty car. The engine note will offset the lack of a good stereo! Just a thought. __________________ 2022 G82///M4 Competition X-Drive - KW-HAS, EBC Bluestuff, Millway Race Camber Plates, Cup2 Connect, PSI High Flow Midpipe, Lightweight Front Lip, M Perf Flow Through Wing Previous • 2018 F80 ///M3 CS • 2016 F80 ///*M3 IG: Raging_G82
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06-19-2020, 08:16 PM	#8
LbrenM3 New Member 14 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2018 bmw 330i Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	I recently got a 2018 330i as my daily. I was looking for something w/a manual as well and decided I better get one before they are too hard to find. It still took me a while to find a rear drive/manual here in the northeast as most cars here are X-drive. I’m pretty satisfied with it, as it has all the updated tech which is a good point. In sport/sport+ the steering really isn’t too bad in my opinion. The turbo-lag takes a bit to get used to though, and driving it back to back w/my M3 really exposes its cushiness. My E46 M3 is razor sharp in comparison as it has coil-overs and a short-shifter. I think I will be getting some suspension for it shortly as well. The stereo is pretty decent, and I don’t have the HK. It is better than the HK in my M3. The F30 is actually about the same size as my old E39 M5, so its not really a small car, but it is just what I was looking for as I wanted 4 doors for my daily. Mine was a CPO, so I am interested in seeing how it holds up as I rack up the miles too. Take one for a test drive and see what you think. Hope this helps.
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